Joint Venture Physiotherapy Blog

A recent study of the relation of physical activity to brain health revealed that regular exercise may decrease the risk of dementia, a disease causing memory loss. It found that older people had an almost 40% lower risk of dementia when they exercised regularly during the week for 30 minutes compared to those who were less active.

Even after researchers examined factors that can affect memory and thinking ability, such as age, history of stroke, and diabetes, the benefits of physical activity on brain health was still evident. The majority of people studied were suffering from a form of dementia known as vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is related to inadequate blood flow in the brain. Since exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, this connection was undeniable.​Maintaining brain health as you age can only be another benefit to add to the overwhelming health advantages of regular physical activity. Now, not only are you feeling happier, healthier and reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke, but you may also be decreasing your risk of dementia, especially the kind of dementia that is related to blood circulation.